Accra, Dec. 10, GNA - The African Union Election Observer Mission (AU-EOM) to Ghana, on Wednesday, described the nation's recent electoral process as transparent, open and competitive and said members were prepared for a second round, in the event of a run-off. Three days after voting ended, official results are yet to be declared, but Mr Salim Ahmed Salim, head of the AU-EOM, said reports on voting, tabulation and aggregation of votes collated from 227 constituencies so far showed that the process was generally transparent and competitive.

He said the mission's visit to all the 10 regions during the elections voting period revealed that Ghanaians were patriotic, responsible, determined and had understood democracy and its demands. Mr Ahmed Salim, said this when he paid a curtsey call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and NEPAD, Mr. Akwasi Osei Adjei in Accra. He said Ghana's elections indicated that Africa had embraced democracy and that it was not about one party system of rule, tribal wars, coup d'tats and famine.

He called on Ghanaians to accept the outcome of the presidential elections to facilitate rapid development and prosperity of the nation and the African continent and urged other African countries to emulate Ghana.

Mr Osei Adjei said although there were a few instances of misunderstanding at some of the polling stations, the process was peacefully conducted comparing the trends in previous polls. He suggested that the Electoral Commission should improve the electoral system by introducing electronic system of voting to counting and coalition of results to prevent people from forming their own opinions. Mr Osei Adjei called on the AU to develop a special package which would be adopted by all member states for outgoing heads of states to make life comfortable after their term of office. 10 Dec. 08